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Historic investment to build modern, new RBCM, safeguard collection

May 13, 2022 1:33 PM
Historic investment to build modern, new RBCM, safeguard collection
A new state-of-the-art and seismically safe Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is coming to Victoria and will be more accessible for all British Columbians.
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Indigenous-led plan for community centre moves forward

May 6, 2022 10:15 AM
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close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

Indigenous-led plan for community centre moves forward

May 6, 2022 10:15 AM
New centre to support Indigenous youth
A concept plan for a new Indigenous centre is moving forward on the territories of the Coast Salish peoples in Vancouver.
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Student housing triples in Abbotsford

May 13, 2022 12:15 PM
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New funding sprouts more growth for B.C. seeds

May 5, 2022 8:15 AM
The Province is increasing support for B.C. seed growers to enhance and expand their operations, bolster food security and create a thriving food economy.
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B.C. Land Matching Program reaches new milestone

April 13, 2022 9:15 AM
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Province, mayors co-ordinate investigation into prolific offenders

May 5, 2022 12:50 PM
Making our communities safer
The Province, in co-operation with British Columbia’s Urban Mayors’ Caucus (BCUMC), has hired two experts to investigate and report on prolific offenders and random violent attacks, and the necessary actions.
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New accessible, affordable homes underway in Vancouver

May 16, 2022 1:30 PM
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Province seeks public input on supports for children, youth

April 20, 2022 11:15 AM
A survey about B.C’s new service approach for children and youth with support needs is now open to the public.
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Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
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BC Data Catalogue improved, updated to serve British Columbians better

May 16, 2022 10:30 AM
From data about wildfires and floods to natural resource and tech-sector insights, finding a wide variety of key information has become easier and more secure for British Columbians with the launch of an improved and updated BC Data Catalogue.
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Modernized, streamlined registry makes registering personal property easier

April 15, 2022 8:30 AM
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Kids, families benefit from more funding for accessible school playgrounds

April 29, 2022 11:15 AM
Kids, families benefit from more funding for accessible school playgrounds
More than 7,000 B.C students will have access to new, safe and accessible playgrounds as the Province invests in the Playground Equipment Program (PEP) for the fifth year in a row to support healthy and active lifestyles.
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Minister’s statement on child care month

May 1, 2022 9:30 AM
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British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

May 18, 2022 10:05 AM
Better rebates for EV chargers
The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses and communities.
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New oil and gas royalty system ending inefficient subsidies

May 19, 2022 1:15 PM
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B.C. launches new program to accelerate local climate action

May 16, 2022 10:45 AM
Supporting local climate action
Stronger collaboration, planning and action to reduce climate pollution and build protection for local communities will result from the new CleanBC Local Government Climate Action Program.
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Earth Day spurs action on plastic pollution

April 22, 2022 2:00 PM
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Budget 2022 moves us forward together to build a StrongerBC

February 22, 2022 1:40 PM
Budget 2022 moves us forward together to build a StrongerBC
Budget 2022 reflects the choices government is making that are needed to build a stronger B.C. and make life better for people, by investing in B.C.’s economic, environmental and social strengths.
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More than $530,000 raised in support of Ukraine

March 22, 2022 8:00 AM
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B.C. increases forest revenue sharing with First Nations in step toward new fiscal relationship

April 27, 2022 12:45 PM
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Text reads: Doubling First Nation forestry revenue rates
British Columbia is more than doubling the forestry revenues that will be shared with First Nations as part of the work to co-develop a new forestry revenue-sharing model.
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Forest employment program provides jobs, supports communities

May 13, 2022 11:35 AM
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Ukrainians fleeing violence get immediate MSP coverage

April 25, 2022 1:30 PM
Ukrainians fleeing violence get immediate MSP coverage
Displaced Ukrainians arriving in B.C. with visas issued under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) will now have access to date-of-arrival Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage.
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New primary care centre opens in Chilliwack

May 13, 2022 11:50 AM
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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C. increases forest revenue sharing with First Nations in step toward new fiscal relationship

April 27, 2022 12:45 PM
Photo of trees with icon of hands and trees in white overtop
Text reads: Doubling First Nation forestry revenue rates
British Columbia is more than doubling the forestry revenues that will be shared with First Nations as part of the work to co-develop a new forestry revenue-sharing model.
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B.C., First Nations leadership help communities recover

April 21, 2022 2:00 PM
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Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour

January 20, 2022 8:00 AM
Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour
Nominations are being accepted for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest honour.
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Outstanding people recognized for service during the pandemic

March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
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Trade mission will showcase B.C.’s strong reputation

May 19, 2022 3:00 PM
Trade mission will showcase B.C.’s strong reputation
As the next step in the StrongerBC Economic Plan and as part of bringing good-paying jobs for people and families back to British Columbia, Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, will embark on a 10-day trade mission to Europe.
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Major partnership with the Netherlands signed to better support B.C. food security

May 24, 2022 10:45 AM
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close menu Labour

Single-step certification will protect right to join a union

April 6, 2022 1:51 PM
Single-step certification will protect right to join a union
Changes that make collective bargaining more accessible will help protect workers who want more say about workplace safety, compensation and benefits.
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B.C. expands cancer coverage for firefighters

April 22, 2022 12:30 PM
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close menu Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

Watershed restoration creates a healthier future for B.C.

April 21, 2022 11:15 AM
Watershed restoration creates a healthier future for B.C.
An ongoing effort to restore watersheds and wetlands in the province is creating a healthier future for British Columbians by mitigating the impacts of climate change on communities, strengthening ecosystems and securing quality drinking water.
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Ministers’ statement on Invasive Species Action Month

May 6, 2022 3:00 PM
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New service helps clarify rights under Mental Health Act

April 28, 2022 10:18 AM
New service helps clarify rights under Mental Health Act
The Province has introduced legislation that will help people experiencing a mental-health crisis better understand their rights and the supports available to them.
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Expanding access to mental-health supports for health-care, social service workers

May 6, 2022 11:00 AM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

Ukrainians fleeing violence get immediate MSP coverage

April 25, 2022 1:30 PM
Ukrainians fleeing violence get immediate MSP coverage
Displaced Ukrainians arriving in B.C. with visas issued under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) will now have access to date-of-arrival Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage.
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Pandemic relief funds help libraries adapt to changing needs

May 17, 2022 12:30 PM
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Province, mayors co-ordinate investigation into prolific offenders

May 5, 2022 12:50 PM
Making our communities safer
The Province, in co-operation with British Columbia’s Urban Mayors’ Caucus (BCUMC), has hired two experts to investigate and report on prolific offenders and random violent attacks, and the necessary actions.
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B.C. seeks public input on consumer experiences

May 16, 2022 10:00 AM
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Funding helps strengthen food security in Greater Victoria

May 12, 2022 1:00 PM
Funding helps strengthen food security in Greater Victoria
Residents with limited income living in Greater Victoria will soon have improved access to local and nutritious food.
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Helping more British Columbians visit the dentist

May 4, 2022 2:00 PM
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Historic investment to build modern, new RBCM, safeguard collection

May 13, 2022 1:33 PM
Historic investment to build modern, new RBCM, safeguard collection
A new state-of-the-art and seismically safe Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is coming to Victoria and will be more accessible for all British Columbians.
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Province bolsters support for live music events

May 18, 2022 1:00 PM
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Province launches Surrey Langley SkyTrain engagement

May 9, 2022 12:00 PM
Province launches Surrey Langley SkyTrain engagement
The public is invited to have their say on the first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years.
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New commercial inspection station near Terrace will improve road safety

May 4, 2022 8:00 AM
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Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

Total victory for B.C. and Canada on softwood lumber

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Honourable Ravi Kahlon

Honourable Ravi Kahlon

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close menu Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

Trade mission will showcase B.C.’s strong reputation

May 19, 2022 3:00 PM
Trade mission will showcase B.C.’s strong reputation
As the next step in the StrongerBC Economic Plan and as part of bringing good-paying jobs for people and families back to British Columbia, Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, will embark on a 10-day trade mission to Europe.
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Total victory for B.C. and Canada on softwood lumber

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02409

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News Release

Victoria
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 11:05 AM

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News Release

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012 11:05 AM

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Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell responded today to British Columbia and Canada's total victory in an arbitration panel's ruling on B.C.'s timber pricing policies under the 2006 Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA).

Today's ruling by the London Court of International Arbitration proves that British Columbia's market-based timber pricing policies are fully consistent with the SLA, and that B.C. has always honoured its commitments under the agreement. The arbitration panel dismissed the U.S.'s complaint in its entirety.

A 2011 complaint filed by the U.S. alleged that B.C. was selling softwood at less than market value, given an increase in the harvest of low-grade timber. The increased amount of low-grade timber in B.C. is the result of the unprecedented and devastating mountain pine beetle infestation. B.C.'s auction-based pricing system ensures that the full value of timber has been captured by government.

B.C. and Canada have maintained it would have been far more productive for the U.S. lumber industry to join them to increase demand for wood products across North America, such as what B.C. is doing with its Wood First initiative.

In the meantime, British Columbia has diversified its lumber export markets during the arbitration period. As part of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' and through recent trade missions abroad by Premier Christy Clark and Bell, the B.C. government has focused on developing Asian markets, experiencing tremendous growth in recent years. For example, B.C. has more than doubled its lumber exports to China each of the past three years, helping to put people back to work in mills throughout the province.

B.C. will continue to support the SLA, originally signed in October 2006, to create a predictable trade environment and to provide stability and certainty to producers and consumers on both sides of the border. Canada has signed an extension to the agreement to October 2015.

Quotes:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell -

"This is a total victory for British Columbia and Canada and is great news for B.C.'s lumber workers and their families. Our government has worked hard to defend and create jobs for British Columbians and to demonstrate that the U.S.'s complaints were unwarranted and groundless."

Learn More:

  • To find out more about the Softwood Lumber Agreement, visit: http://www.jti.gov.bc.ca/softwood/index.htm

A factsheet follows.

Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-8177


FACTSHEET

  • The Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement came into effect on Oct. 12, 2006.
  • The agreement was initially set to expire in October 2013. In January 2012, Canada and the United States agreed to an extension to October 2015, under the same terms and conditions.
  • On Jan. 18, 2011, the United States launched a dispute on B.C.'s Interior timber pricing policies, requesting arbitration and alleging that the increase in the harvest of low grade timber has subsidized B.C. softwood lumber producers.
  • A final hearing in front of the arbitration panel was held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2012. Canada and the U.S. filed their separate post-hearing briefs on May 24, 2012. A final decision was issued by the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) on July 18, 2012.
  • Dispute settlement under the agreement is handled by the LCIA, whose ruling is final and binding.
  • The SLA has been beneficial to industry in B.C. and Canada, enabling the province to manage its forest resources while maintaining access to the U.S. market. The SLA also provides an independent and objective body to rule on softwood lumber trade disputes.
  • Also, the SLA has facilitated the return of over $5 billion to Canadian lumber exporters - about half to B.C. exporters. Under its terms, money collected from export charges remains in Canada and is subsequently distributed to provinces. B.C has received $1.1 billion from export charge revenue from the SLA as of March 2012.
  • Softwood lumber is an important sector of the Canada-U.S. bilateral trade relationship. The total volume of B.C.'s softwood exports in 2011 to all world markets was 22.83 million cubic metres, with roughly half exported to the U.S.
  • The total value of B.C.'s softwood lumber exports to all world markets in 2011 was $3.83 billion, with $1.6 billion to the U.S.
  • In 2011, B.C. produced 12.354 billion board feet in softwood lumber.
  • Over 53,000 people are employed in B.C. in the wood products industry and its supporting industries.
  • As of May 2012, the total volume of B.C. exports of softwood lumber was up nine per cent for the year-though-May, as compared with the same period in 2011. The total value of B.C. exports of softwood lumber year-through-May 2012 grew 2.5 per cent compared with 2011.
  • The U.S. market continues to show signs of recovery with year to date volume and value up almost 9 and 11 per cent, respectively, over the same period last year.
  • Exports to China, B.C.'s second largest and fastest growing market, held steady month to month. After more than doubling each of the past three years, year to date volume is up 13 per cent and B.C. is still on track for modest growth through 2012. Exports to Japan and India are also on the rise.

Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-8177

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02409

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